Five watercolour-worthy wedding venues in the South East of England

We’re so lucky to have so many beautiful wedding venues in the South East and as a wedding watercolour artist, I’m extra lucky to get to paint them.

I always feel a real bond with a venue once I’ve painted it. I guess it makes sense: the process of painting them involves hours of lovingly looking at a building from all different angles, researching how it looks in different seasons, and getting to understand the building, its makeup and its history. 

It isn’t realistic to visit everywhere I paint, but I always want to (it would make a good road trip plan, wouldn’t it?!). However, if you’re currently searching for wedding venues in the south east that’ll look beautiful on your watercolour wedding stationery – or maybe you’re just searching for wedding venues in the South East full stop – here are 5 jaw-dropping places that should be on your radar. 

1. The Beacon, Tunbridge Wells

Trust me when I say you’ve probably never seen anything like The Beacon in Tunbridge Wells. Not only is it one of my favourite wedding venues in the South East, but it’s one of my favourites in the whole country. As well as being a recommended supplier there, I was lucky enough to paint it for Petra and Ged’s wedding stationery, after Petra spotted my artwork up in a local coffee shop. 

(They left me some feedback saying “We received so many comments from our guests about how the close attention to detail added to the warmth of the day overall and how unique the feel of the day was to us. From the beautiful welcome signage which was joyous to see on display at the venue, to the hand lettered place cards and watercolour table plan, I will never forget the personal touch it added.”, which was so lovely to hear!)

Set within 17 acres of rolling Kent countryside on the edge of woodlands, what makes The Beacon so special is its blend of old country house glamour and cosy intimacy. It somehow manages to feel grand whilst still feeling like home!

There are so many beautiful details, hidden secrets and wonderful spaces at this total treasure of a wedding venue that I could draw and paint here all day. The building itself – transformed by Mother Love, who also own Kingdom and Swan Kitchen – is whimsically stepped on different levels, with a plethora of beautiful spaces to move around creating excitement, intimacy and different atmospheres over the course of your wedding day.

This continues in the gardens out the back, where there’s a steep but stunning walk down to The Grand Pavilion, a beautifully finished, delightfully ornate space made for bigger guest lists. They have also just finished creating their honeymoon suite, a gorgeous rustic summerhouse with beautiful views across Happy Valley.

Plus, the venue doesn’t just look good. Throughout its history, The Beacon has always championed connection and hosting, from glamorous parties through to Basque and Jewish refugees in the wartime. This caring spirit is integral to the very bones of the venue, and it’s a lovely legacy to continue with your wedding day.

If you’d like to find out more about The Beacon:

2. Bury Court Barn, Farnham

I first became aware of Bury Bury Court Barn Barn when I had the pleasure of painting it for Shirley and Albert’s watercolour wedding stationery. The main building is a converted barn, which inside effortlessly combines historic beams and old features with modern detail for truly timeless ceremonies and receptions.  

Outside, the barn almost looks like it’s from a fairytale. The colours and tones of this building were perfect for painting, with the greens from the gardens and flowers contrasting beautifully with the grey stone, terracotta brick details and darker slate roof, and the white window frames and curved roundels as stunning features. 

The team at Bury Court Barn have thought of everything for your wedding, too. With gardens designed by Piet Oudolf and Christopher Bradley-Hole, and food and drink taken care of by a team of expert chefs and mixologists, the magical charm extends everywhere you turn your head.

If you’d like to find out more about Bury Court:

3. Hampton Court House, Richmond upon Thames

Beautifully detailed bespoke watercolour illustration of Hampton Court House. Architectural illustration painted in the sandstone brick with ivy crawling up around the entrance to the house.

Hampton Court House is a stunning 18th century mansion opposite the world-famous Hampton Court Palace, overlooking the beautiful Bushy Park. Built by an Earl for his mistress, this venue was quite literally designed with love in mind: it even has a heart-shaped lake!

Nowadays (whether you’re an Earl or not!) a number of different, impressive spaces make it an ideal place to get married – from various rooms in the elegant mansion to the shell grotto and gardens outside.

I painted this venue for Jessica and Ashley who are getting married at Hampton Court House this summer, and wanted to give their guests a little map to encourage them to explore the local area whilst they’re there. Initially they just wanted flowers on the front of their invitation, but I suggested that the building might work well thanks to its beauty – they agreed! The map was wonderful to create including lots of places that hold meaning for them as well as little details to bring it to life. 

Beautifully detailed watercolour illustration of a map of Hampton Court. The map is framed in a black frame with a white mount and hung on a white wall. The map has tiny intricate details hand drawn in a loose watercolour and line drawing style.

If you’d like to find out more about Hampton Court House:

4. Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park

Perhaps the most famous of these five watercolour-worthy wedding venues in the South East, Pembroke Lodge is the only place in Richmond Park where you can get married. (It’s also the only licensed venue within any of the Royal Parks in London!)

What’s not to love about Pembroke Lodge? It’s a Grade II listed Georgian Mansion nestled in 11 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds that have achieved special wildlife status. (You can often see deer in the park, and no cars are allowed – it feels pretty magical.) Also, if you get married here you’ll leave after official closing hours for the park, so you’ll be some of the only ones there – which is pretty special. 

There are spaces for both indoor and outdoor ceremonies at Pembroke Lodge, both as impressive as each other. At the front of the building they have a beautiful wisteria, as well as an arched wisteria walkway in the grounds themselves, plus a terrace with gorgeous views. This not only means you and your guests will have a beautiful arrival, but it also lends itself very well to being painted. 

This entry in the list of watercolour-worthy wedding venues in the South East is particularly special to me as my brother Will and sister-in-law Emma got married here on a beautiful, 30+ degree August day. I created a map for their stationery and painted the venue as a gift to them, which they now have hanging up in their house. I have painted it once since and would love to revisit it, as its surrounding nature is ever changing throughout the years and the seasons, but the building and its heart remains. 

If you’d like to find out more about Pembroke Lodge:

5. The Bell, Ticehurst

Watercolour illustration of The Bell in Ticehurst, with calligraphy lettering below reading 'The Bell, Ticehurst'. The building is a brick and tile country cottage style and the watercolour painting is loose and organic with tiny details added

The next in this list of wedding venues in the South East is The Bell, an award-winning quirky 17th century pub and hotel bursting with personality. (One of those awards being The Sunday Times Best Hotel and Pub Award, so it really is good!!)

Here’s how much I love The Bell: I illustrated it years ago just for fun, and have recently redone it as part of my Ticehurst illustration series (you can see the illustration – and buy the print, if you fancy! – here) I also wrote a bit about why it means so much to me on my blog about my Ticehurst series which you can read here. 

But back to weddings: The Bell is an award-winning pub with frontage that spans all the way down the high street. Externally, it’s a really traditional and classic building, with a few cheeky nods to the whimsy within. Internally, it’s full of its own quirky character and personality, with incredible interiors that will make your day unforgettable. The combination of aesthetic and history (which includes my grandparents’ wedding!) makes it a great space for really heartfelt celebrations. 

This unique style runs through to the lodges in the garden (which is lovely, especially in the summer) including the ‘love nest’, which literally has a nest on the top. I really want to illustrate those, so if you’re getting married here…you know who to call…

If you’d like to find out more about The Bell:

6. Froyle Park, East Hampshire 

I know, I know, I promised you five watercolour-worthy wedding venues in the South East, but here’s a cheeky bonus sixth venue for you! 

Froyle Park has a super special place in my heart because it’s the last piece I painted before my daughter Harriet was born. Shree had got in touch a couple of times inquiring about a piece, but both times I’d been at capacity, so she very kindly waited! I finished for maternity leave and sat down for a few days to paint this beautiful building, and being able to bring it to life for Shree brought me so much peace and joy.

Winding through 80 acres of picturesque parkland and fields, the long lavender-lined drive draws you in. I love this grand approach, and you’re not disappointed when you reach the top, because the Jacobean manor house is a perfect composition for an illustration. The symmetry and grandeur is really special to capture, because the more you look at it, the more detail you see: in the brickwork, the windowsills, the door and fountain, all the little details that make the building what it is. Inside, there are also stunning period details including impressive staircases and ornate fireplaces.

If you’d like to find out more about Froyle Park:

Watercolour wedding venue illustrations

There are so many things to factor in when looking at wedding venues in the South East of England, but something that shouldn’t be overlooked is the beauty of the building. Your wedding should be a day full of love and joy, and gorgeous surroundings certainly help that!

That’s why I love immortalising wedding venues in watercolour form for your wedding stationery and as keepsakes. If you’re looking for watercolour illustration of your wedding venue in the South East (or anywhere else in the world!) then I’d love to chat – please do get in touch here to tell me all about your wedding plans!